First Visit to England. 129 



shall expect letters on our return. I shall see nobody that 

 you are interested in, or I either, and as for a description 

 of the places, you will find it far better in Cornell's geogra- 

 phy. We write to-night to secure berths on the Great 

 Eastern for October ist. Give my tenderest love to Ma, 

 and say to her that as she is a Christian and has faith that 

 all things are ordered well, she should not vex herself 

 about the course of worldly affairs. Remember me kindly 

 to all, and write often. 



Upon Youmans's return to London Mr. Spencer 

 introduced him to Huxley and several other friends 

 eminent in science and philosophy. From more than 

 one of these men I have heard the warmest expres- 

 sions of personal affection for Youmans, and of keen 

 appreciation of the aid that they have obtained in innu- 

 merable ways from his intelligent and enthusiastic 

 sympathy. 



These beginnings of valued friendships were ex- 

 tremely pleasant, but there was much to mar the en- 

 joyment of this first journey abroad. It was war time, 

 and depressing news came by every mail. There was 

 much to perturb a man of patriotic spirit in the gen- 

 eral sympathy with the Southern cause expressed 

 by Englishmen. From much pleasure in sight-seeing 

 Youmans was debarred by his imperfect vision, while 

 his irritable nerves suffered amid the worries and 

 fatigues of constant travel. He visited the great Ex- 

 hibition at the Crystal Palace, but cared little for it. 

 However, when he attended the British Association's 

 meeting at Cambridge, he felt amply repaid for hav- 

 ing crossed the Atlantic. The addresses and papers 

 pleased him greatly ; and there was endless delight in 

 observing men of his own race and language, who 

 seemed to him foreign in so many ways. Their 



